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cleaner

/ˈklinər/
/ˈklinə/
IPA guide

Other forms: cleaners

A cleaner is either a person whose job involves tidying and disinfecting, or it's a substance used to do that work, like soap. If the cleaner runs out of window cleaner, they might try using vinegar.

Professional cleaners might work in people's homes, in which case you might call them housekeepers, or they might work in office buildings, on work sites, or really anywhere that needs to be cleaned. Some cleaners (like dry cleaners) clean clothing and other textiles. Being a cleaner is hard work — and if you've ever watched workers suspended on scaffolding using big squeegees to clean skyscraper windows, you know that it can be thrilling work, too.

Definitions of cleaner
  1. noun
    someone whose job involves tidying and removing dirt or filth
    see moresee less
    types:
    char, charwoman, cleaning lady, cleaning woman, woman
    a human female employed to do housework
    chimneysweep, chimneysweeper, sweep
    someone who cleans soot from chimneys
    scourer
    someone who cleanses by scouring
    street cleaner, street sweeper
    a worker employed to clean streets (especially one employed by a municipal sanitation department)
    window cleaner
    someone who cleans windows for pay
    type of:
    jack, laborer, labourer, manual laborer
    someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor
  2. noun
    a person who works at a shop that specializes in washing fabric without water
    synonyms: dry cleaner
    see moresee less
    type of:
    market keeper, shopkeeper, storekeeper, tradesman
    a merchant who owns or manages a shop
  3. noun
    a preparation used to remove dirt or unwanted substances
    see moresee less
    types:
    bathroom cleaner
    a preparation for cleaning bathrooms
    dentifrice
    a substance for cleaning the teeth; applied with a toothbrush
    detergent
    a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension
    shampoo
    cleansing agent consisting of soaps or detergents used for washing the hair
    soap
    a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats
    bar soap
    soap in the form of a bar
    castile soap
    a good hard soap made from olive oil and sodium hydroxide
    dishwasher detergent, dishwashing detergent, dishwashing liquid
    a low-sudsing detergent designed for use in dishwashers
    laundry detergent
    any of various detergents designed for use in a washing machine for clothing
    liquid detergent
    a detergent in liquid form
    liquid soap
    soap in liquid form
    leather soap, saddle soap
    a mild soap for cleansing and conditioning leather
    soap flakes
    soap that has been cut into flakes to make suds faster
    built-soap powder, soap powder, washing powder
    soap in powdered form mixed with alkaline builders
    green soap, soft soap
    a soft (or liquid) soap made from vegetable oils; used in certain skin diseases
    bath soap, face soap, toilet soap
    soap used as a toiletry
    toothpaste
    a dentifrice in the form of a paste
    tooth powder, toothpowder
    a dentifrice in the form of a powder
    type of:
    formulation, preparation
    a substance prepared according to a formula
Pronunciation
US
/ˈklinər/
UK
/ˈklinə/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cleaner'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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